YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The dog that fatally injured a newborn is back home in the owner’s house.

Patricia Grim is still mourning the death of her grandson, Aiden. But, she said they never considered abandoning the family dog that killed the baby.

The dog, a two-year-old Shepherd-Labrador mix named Toby, is one of five dogs living in the home. Kristy Grim, the mother of the baby, and her family took possession of Toby Friday after Mahoning County Dog Warden Diane Fry determined it was no danger to the family.

Earlier this month, police were called to the home along Valorie Drive after the dog tried to lift 3-day-old old Aiden Grim out of a laundry basket he was placed in.

By state law, the dog was designated as vicious since it took a life. If the designation stands, the owner will have to follow protocols for keeping a vicious animal, which could include placing a microchip on the animal and neutering.

The dog’s owner and Kristy Grim’s brother, James Grim, said he plans to appeal that vicious designation.

“I am sure he is not a vicious dog,” he said. “I mean, he’s never done anything to really try to hurt anybody ever.”

Mahoning County Dog Warden Diane Fry said since neighbors were not concerned about the animal being a threat to the area, she agreed to give it back to the family and not have it euthanized.

Patricia Grim called Aidan’s death tragic, but accidental.

Since his death, Patricia says her daughter has been getting death threats, and she said other family members have refused to let her see her other grandchildren.

“They don’t understand,” she said. “They all think that we let it happen on purpose. We would never let that happen. That baby just meant so much to all of us.”

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